Tuesday, December 15, 2015

New Contract, and Brain Drain


First, I bet you're reading that New Contract thingy in the title and thinking I got a contract on the book I'm currently writing.

Nope. I got a contract on the one I'll be starting after I'm done More Than Words. The contract is for the next True Destiny book, Hide and Seek (Nik and Toni)! I've got the outline already, so I know what will happen. I decided to do Hide and Seek before Electric Dreams because neither Melissa nor Liam were talking to me, but Toni and Nik were.

Ah, author weirdness at its finest.

Anyway, I'll be submitting the synopsis for More Than Words soon, along with the manuscript. Don't worry, if/when I get a contract on it I'll let you know as soon as I can.

Now, on to the brain drain.


You may have noticed my online presence has been, at best, sporadic, and at worst nonexistent. That's because I've been having brand new symptoms that are giving me some serious issues, like sleeping for nearly twenty-four hours or being unable to think of certain words. My doctor sent me to a neurologist to find out what's going on. Well, I had that appointment today, and she's setting me up for a series of tests to find out what's going on. EEG, MRI, blood work, all that fun kind of stuff. Since they're doing the EEG at O'Fuck Hundred in the morning, I'm pretty sure it will look something like this:


The neurologist suggested that it could be a new iteration of my migraines, but she wants to cover all of her bases because some of the symptoms don't quite fit. We'll see what's going on, and also get a picture of my brain. That should be interesting.








Tuesday, December 1, 2015

NEW RELEASE: Indirect Lines (Halle Shifters Book 5)


Halle Shifters Book 5
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
eBook ISBN: 978-1-61923-364-5
Release Date: December 1, 2015

There’s only one way to win this game: break the rules.

James “Barney” Barnwell is losing his ever-loving mind. Between the threat to the white shifters and a riddle he’s been ordered to solve, he can actually go for ten whole minutes without thinking about Heather, the woman destined to be his mate.

As much as he burns to get the redhead under him, the safest place for her is far away from him. If the bad guys catch the barest hint of her scent on his skin, she’ll become a target.

The way Heather sees it, the quicker she helps the stubborn Bear solve the riddle, the quicker he’ll bite her—literally. But when she’s hurt while protecting her cousin from an attack, she finds herself right where Barney never wanted her: smack dab in the middle of the investigation.

Like it or not, Barney is forced to bring her fully into his crazy world. With his mate’s life in his hands, he’s in a race against time to solve this maddening riddle before the enemy discovers that the Hunter has finally been caught by love.

Warning: This book contains explicit sex, graphic language, lots of questions and maybe even some answers. Remember: Fox holds the key.

*The print release will be in 2016.*

Available From:





Monday, November 23, 2015

Indirect Lines


Halle Shifters Book 5
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
eBook ISBN: 978-1-61923-364-5
Release Date: December 1, 2015

There’s only one way to win this game: break the rules.

James “Barney” Barnwell is losing his ever-loving mind. Between the threat to the white shifters and a riddle he’s been ordered to solve, he can actually go for ten whole minutes without thinking about Heather, the woman destined to be his mate.

As much as he burns to get the redhead under him, the safest place for her is far away from him. If the bad guys catch the barest hint of her scent on his skin, she’ll become a target.

The way Heather sees it, the quicker she helps the stubborn Bear solve the riddle, the quicker he’ll bite her—literally. But when she’s hurt while protecting her cousin from an attack, she finds herself right where Barney never wanted her: smack dab in the middle of the investigation.

Like it or not, Barney is forced to bring her fully into his crazy world. With his mate’s life in his hands, he’s in a race against time to solve this maddening riddle before the enemy discovers that the Hunter has finally been caught by love.

Warning: This book contains explicit sex, graphic language, lots of questions and maybe even some answers. Remember: Fox holds the key.

She was so busy thinking she missed the curb. Down she went, scraping her knee and her hand. The box of needles rolled to the middle of the street and almost got run over.

Heather pulled herself to her feet, limping after the box. She hissed as she picked it up. Geez. She was going to get one hell of a ribbing when she got back and told them she’d tripped on air.

As she passed one of the stores she stopped to stare at her reflection in the window. Tilting her head at the image she made, she grimaced. Long red hair, messy from the summer breeze, blew past her pale face. Nondescript green eyes stared back. Her skin was so white it practically glowed, showing off her freckles. Her cut-off jean shorts and white tank top were nothing special, the Doc Martens on her feet worn and comfortable. Thanks to her tumble, she now had brand-new scuff marks on the toes.

No wonder Barney doesn’t want me. I look like any other campus kid running around Halle. I’m a complete mess. All I need is a backpack and the look would be perfect.

Halle was a college town, but it was also home to the Halle Puma Pride, led by the Cannons, Max and Emma. Because of that, the college was deemed a safe place to send shifter children for further education. It allowed shifters to leave their home territories and enter colleges that not only had the major they wanted to study but where their parents knew they’d be safe.

It hadn’t been so safe for her cousin Chloe, but Heather tried not to look back on the time Chloe was in the hospital, fighting for her life. She tried to focus on the fact that her cousin was alive and well, and back in school. Even better, Chloe had her mate, Jim Woods, cheering her all the way.

I wonder if Barney would cheer for me.

She squared her shoulders and glared at her reflection. Grunting in disgust, she moved on. She wasn’t going to change, not for her parents, and not for Barney. Nope. If anything about her changed it would be because she wanted it to.

Of course, there were a few things she’d like to change. Like her mated status. Watching her cousins getting all cozy with Glory and Tabby was driving her crazy. Meanwhile her mate kept her at a distance, refusing to acknowledge the pull at all unless it suited him. Hell, he’d ordered her to have nothing to do with some weird chick and her brother who were currently guarding Chloe and Jim. Why, she had no idea, but the fact that Barney had done so gave her hope. It was slim, barely breathing and crawling on all fours, but it was there.

“Heather?”

She froze as a deep baritone washed over her, making her shudder in want. “Barney.” She turned to find him just behind her, his image towering over hers in the plate glass window.

He was the epitome of everything she’d been terrified of before she’d met him. Tall, blond, with shoulders as wide as a Mack truck, she should have been running for her life.

Instead, she wanted to climb him like a tree and plant a damn flag on his head that declared him hers.
“What are you doing?” He studied her with an amused smile. He always looked at her like she was something amusing. She had yet to see him looking at her with desire.

“Getting something for Cyn. You?”

His brows rose. “Nothing. Just out for a stroll.” He gestured toward the box. “Want me to carry that for you?”

“Pfft. It weighs maybe two pounds. I think I got it, Barney.”

He patted her on the head. “Of course you do. Hobbits are stronger than they seem.” He bowed and waved, his T-shirt stretching over his shoulders. “After you.”

“Oh no,” she replied. “Age before beauty.”

His brows rose, but he took the lead with a small laugh. “Do I need to tuck you under my arm?”

“Only if you want your ass bit,” she muttered, falling into place beside him with a wince. Damn, her knee hurt.

“Not in this lifetime.” He took a few larger steps, effectively putting her behind him. “Keep up, shorty. I’m on a timer here.”

“Really? I thought you were just out for a stroll.” She quickened her pace, taking two steps to his one to remain at his side. She clenched her hand, hissing when pain shot up her arm.

“You’re hurt.” Barney stopped and pulled her under the awning of one of the local businesses. He tugged her fingers open and glared at the bleeding scrape on her palm.

“I tripped crossing the street.” She showed him her scraped knee as the pain in her palm eased.

He hissed in sympathy. “That looks nasty.” He knelt in front of her, brushing his hand gently over her knee. To anyone else, it would look like he was brushing something off, but for her the soothing heat of his power washed over her, taking the pain away.

He’d healed her, using his Bear’s power to do so. As far as she knew, Barney never healed anyone. As he stood, he took her hand again, checking her palm once more.

She smiled at him, needing him to know that it meant something that he’d done for her what he’d done for no one else. “Thank you.”

Their gazes locked together, her hand still in his. The world around them went silent and still. His thumb caressed the skin of her palm, making her shiver with a desire so sudden she almost dropped to her knees. Only his hold on her kept her on her feet.

Barney slowly let go of her hand, bringing the world crashing down around her senses once more. “You’re welcome.”

Without another word he took the box and carried it to the front door of Cynful. He handed it over, nodded once, and was off to whatever it was Hunters did when they weren’t in their home territories.

Heather shook her head and carried the box into the shop. “I’m back…”

Monday, November 16, 2015

One of the Lovely Things About Being Over Forty

Yes, I've been sick. Yes, I've been a LOUSY blogger. But I haven't forgotten about blogging, I just haven't had the pain management or the energy levels to write something. Next week I'll post about my upcoming release, Indirect Lines, but for now I wanted to dip my toes back in the water with a short, funny bit that's been floating around in my head for a while now.

There are a few things they don't tell you when you're approaching the big four-oh, let alone what's going to happen to your body as you stumble your way through your forties. I'm forty-seven now, and I tremble in fear of what forty-eight has in store for me. This is just one of the lovely things about being over forty:

What Happened to My Boobs?




The first thing that changes when you leave your thirties? Your boobs. Your love bags. Those things on the front of your chest that used to be perky and bright. Remember them?



Yeah, I hope you took a picture. They'll never look like that again without a shit-ton of plastic under your skin.


Now, don't get me wrong. I like my boobs just fine. But perky only happens with my ponytail these days. At my age, a booby check isn't to look for lumps. Nope. That's called a booby squish, aka a mammogram. Nope. A booby check is to make sure my nipples are both facing the same direction.



And can we mention sag? Oh, yeah. I love the thought that by the time I'm sixty I'll be able to tuck them into my waistband.


Hmm. Then again, it might save me some money...




Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Vay-Cation, All I Ever Wanted!

For the past two weeks I've been relaxing in the House of Mouse. It's one of my favorite vacation spots, and something I look forward to each time we go.


We only get to do this every other year, so we make a big production out of it. This year, we took it easy, sleeping in a bit and making sure we'd gotten passes for all our favorite rides ahead of time.


The food (especially in Epcot's Italy) was awesome, and the wather was actually kind to us. The only day it rained I took a day to rest and the boys went to Disney Quest without me.


And, of course, we took lots and lots of pictures. This is not one of them.



And my youngest managed to get over his fear of roller coasters, first by playing Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, then by getting on the roller coasters at Disney. He now thinks they're awesome.


But he still won't ride Tower of Terror, and since he won't, I can't. I'm not sure I understand why he's afraid, though. He rode the roller coasters, after all.


We had a great time, and can't wait to go again. But for now, it's back to work for the adults, and the kids? They get to do SUMMER BOOK REPORTS.



Muahahaha!

I love summer.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Amelia Pond, The Dog

Our pup, Amy (aka Amelia Pond, aka Yellow-Bellied Coward Dog...I swear, she's frightened of everything) is now eight months old. She's still a bit clingy, and has totally devoted herself to loving Dusty, which both irks and pleases him. She was supposed to bond to the boys, but apparently she wanted a man.


And she's loving this whole living squeaky-toy thing called a "cat". 



Of course, neither cat is enthusiastic about the whole thing.


Amy still has some quirks we need to work out, like where her toilet is.


She back-slid in her house training after getting fixed, but she's slowly getting better again. 




She's also decided that my side of the bed is her side of the bed. Mi casa es su casa, and all that.



I've actually woken in the middle of the night with my feet on the floor.

And dear LORD, the gas on that dog. It can clear a room faster than yelling "Free donuts!" at a cop convention.



She also figured out how to hop the fence, so we were forced to put her on a lead. She's not happy about it, but until we can get her to stop jumping the fence to explore the neighbor's yard, it's the best we can do.



She also likes to steal clean socks from the laundry basket and run off with them. She won't play fetch with her toys, but she'll play keep-away with underwear.


Of course, Precious, our senior dog, has taken Amy under her paw. The two play together, and Amy follows Precious like Precious is her mommy. Precious is teaching her the ropes.



Amy also likes to wake us up nice and early every day, so we don't miss anything important, like playing with her or rubbing her belly or giving her food.



Amy graduated her obedience class with flying colors, learning sit, wait, down, touch and come.


But she's still a big, silly pup who chases after nothing, slides on the hardwood floors, loves being dragged belly down on the carpet and will flop in front of you for random belly rubs. She also has a puppy love attack that leaves you laughing and covered in dog kisses.



So even though she's a cowardly poo-gas factory, we love her to pieces and are so glad we rescued her. She's made me smile on days when I thought nothing could.

   




Silly pup.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

NEW CONTRACT: Warlock Unbound (Heart's Desire 4)

This is the last of the Heart's Desire series, and the Beckett boys:




Heart's Desire Book 4
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
ISBN:??
Release Date:??

The last Beckett brother has cast his spell on her heart.

Daniel Beckett, the last unmated brother, finally casts the Beckett family mate spell. He and his wolf already know who that mate will be: the wilfull, stubborn, beautiful Kerry Andrews. He's only held off over fear of the dangers the Godwin warlocks have brought to her already, but his brothers are insistent. It's time, and all Daniel can hope for is that Kerry will allow him to protect her.

Kerry has been waiting patiently for Daniel to cast the mate spell, but the moment he does things start to go horribly wrong. A sleeper hex has been activated, and her life is in danger. So she does the only thing she can think of to save herself, running to Daniel's waiting arms.

Once the hex is removed Kerry finds a whole knew world to explore with her magical mate. But Arthur Godwin is lurking in the background to rip away their newfound happiness. Women are turning up dead...blond women who look just like Kerry.

Warning: This title contains explicit sex, graphic language, a growly wizard and the woman who loves him.


“So.” Kerry settled back on the sofa, looking anywhere but at him. Her cheeks were bright red. “We’re mates, huh?”

“Yup.” He cupped her cheek, shivering at the feel of her skin. Her scent was overwhelming him, so feminine and sweet he wanted to taste her. Now that he’d cast the spell he didn’t have to fight himself anymore. He could allow himself to treat her as she deserved, with care and affection.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “I thought you hated me.”

Daniel frowned as he thought of all the times they’d bickered, mostly about her safety. “You’re stubborn.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “You’re grouchy.”

“You needed to be safe.” If only she’d listened to him, she might have been here when the hex first manifested. All she’d had to do was remain in his home, under guard, twenty–four hours a day.

“You never asked. You ordered.” She leaned forward, poking him in the chest. “And no one orders me around, buddy.”

He took advantage of her nearness and grabbed hold, pulling her close enough to kiss. “Think. Again.” Daniel took her mouth, tasting her as he’d dreamed of doing since the first time he saw her, back when he was watching over Lana for Chris. She’d been in some stupid bridesmaid’s outfit for her twin’s wedding, and she’d been delectable. His wolf had practically drooled over her, clawing and scratching to get to her, but it hadn’t been the right time. He wanted his world, his family, safe before he brought her into it.

And she’d fought him even then, pushing him away to reach Gareth, who’d been wounded. Her hair had been a glorious mess and her dress was hiked up to her knees. She’d been brash, bold, and refused to back down no matter how much he growled at her to stay away for her own safety.

How could he not adore her? She was his match in every way.





I'm going to miss this series. Dusty suggested I create a new one, just about the Own (and not just Hecate's). What do you think?

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Dana Did a Dumb-Dumb


Ever been hit by the spring cleaning bug? Because I was, on Saturday, actually. Everything, and I mean everything, suddenly needed to be dusted, like, NOW. So here I am, running around with my spray bottles,paper towels, and a look in my eye that scares the children, cleaning like a deranged Cinderella who's late for the ball.

Now, to be honest, my kids do help when I need to clean the house. They have their methods, and I have mine.



We're working on that.

So all through the day, Dusty is reminding me to watch my spoons, and I'm telling him I'm fine, I'm good. I've got this. Yeah, I'm in pain, but that's normal, that's an every-day thing.



I was oh, so wrong.

I'm cleaning, and I'm making sure to take breaks here and there so I don't push myself. But I did things I know I'm not supposed to do, like the dishes (a lot of twisting and bending...it's bad for my back). I lifted things, and moved things, and hell, I even cooked dinner when we were all done. But I'd forgotten to listen to the warning signs that I'd used up too many spoons.

First, the heavy pain, where you can barely move, but you make yourself, because it will get better if you get up and move around rather than let your spine lock. We all know this, right? Everyone who has arthritis knows it's better to move through the pain.

If I had just stopped there, everything would have been fine. But, nope. My brain was stuck on MUST. CLEAN. My body was stuck on, OH. SHIT. And when those two collide, it's... well...



The second sign is my back going numb. I can't feel anything. That just encourages me to keep going, because hey! I'm not in pain anymore! Standing up and moving around really helped! So you think you're all good. Nothing's gonna break your stride, just like that song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3YrNSw5a2I), and you can take on the world.



I finished cleaning, cooked dinner, and realized that I was hurting again, but on a much larger scale. I lay down, certain I would be fine in the morning. See, I didn't realize I'd taken my spine and turned it into a pretzel. And since I'm not a cat, this is a bad thing.





Once I went to bed, the pretzel undid itself while I slept, causing all those lovely nerve endings to once again send signals of "What the fuck did she do this time?!?"  And being the good wife I am, when the dog whimpered at five in the morning to be let out, I tried to get up. After all, it was Dusty's birthday weekend, and I wanted him to sleep in for a change. So when I sat up, I wasn't prepared for the stars to be so pretty, or for my back to suddenly hit the mattress once more. I hadn't just thrown my back out. I'd hit it with a stick until all its candy fell out, danced the samba on it, twirled it overhead, twerked against it like a three year old drying their butt to music, and only threw it out once it looked like a frat boy after a three day bender.



So Dusty got up, I stayed in bed, and my back got even with me by keeping me there for two days.

But hey, my house is clean, right?




Tuesday, March 3, 2015

NEW RELEASE: Figure of Speech (Halle Shifters 4)


Halle Shifters Book 4
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
ISBN: 9781619226364
Release Date: March 3, 2015

When two hearts speak as one, no words are needed.

Chloe Williams has waited four long years for her mate to acknowledge her. Time and again he has turned her away for being too young, even when she was hospitalized, recovering from a beating that left lingering aftereffects. Now that he’s been turned into a Wolf, his mating instincts are kicking in big time. Chloe has to decide if it’s worth risking her heart yet again.

Ten years older than Chloe and dealing with issues she knows nothing about, veterinarian James Woods is about ready to howl in frustration. He’s been drawn to Chloe since she was a radiant nineteen-year-old college student, but the age difference held him back from making a move on her. Now his Wolf wants what’s his, and Jim is finally in a place where he can claim her.

Between meddling mothers, Hunter brothers, and a mystery that threatens to end Chloe's life, they might find an opportunity to tell each other just how they feel. Or find themselves separated by more than just misunderstood words.


Warning: This book contains explicit sex, graphic language, and two people who finally get their damn act together.


His arm tightened around her shoulders. “You okay?”

“Mad.”

“At?” He didn’t sound concerned, but he did sound…absent? Like he was listening to two things at once.

“Me.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “I didn’t understand why you wouldn’t accept me when I knew we were bent to be together.”

“But now you do.” He kissed the top of her head. “I was human. And honestly? Even now, I feel a little wrong because of how young you are.”

She poked him in the side. “Get over it.”

He laughed, but the tone of it was still off.

“What’s wrong?”

He shrugged casually, but the way his body stiffened next to hers told her that there was more going on than he wanted to let on. “Nothing.”

Uh-huh. Chloe sniffed discreetly, catching a whiff of…cat?

Jim tilted his head toward her and whispered in her ear, “I hear footsteps.”

She kissed his chin, adding, “I smell cat. The shifter kind, not the Tom and Jerry one.”

They exchanged a worried glance but didn’t hurry their pace. They didn’t want whoever was following them to know that they were aware of him.

And it was a him, from the masculine scent that was layered all over the scent of cat. Chloe sniffed again and rubbed her nose, trying to see if the scent was familiar. “So.”

“So?”

“What do you have up your sleeve for date number two?” Whoever it was, it wasn’t a Puma. She knew that scent inside and out after so long in Halle.

“I was thinking perhaps a trip to the beach.”

She stumbled. “Overnight?”

“Mm-hm.”

Well. For a man who’d been reluctant to claim her he was certainly willing to move fast now. “I’d have to ask my mommy if I can have a sleepover.”

“Brat.” But he was smiling, his gaze bright with laughter.

She skipped for a few steps, humming tunelessly.

“You are never going to let me live this down, are you?”

“Nope.” And now that she had the full picture she was going to have fun with it. Maybe it would help them both get over their hang-ups.

He chuckled. “Little girl, would you like a taste of my lollipop?”

She began to giggle uncontrollably, actually snorting once or twice before she got herself back under control. “That was so bad.”

“How can you tell? You haven’t even tried it yet.” He winked when she stared up at him, shocked.

She licked her lips, blushing even harder when he groaned.

Jim pulled her tighter against him, focusing once more on where they were going. “Stop distracting me, little vixen.” He shivered. “For now, anyway.”

Chloe put her head against his chest. “It’s not a Puma,” she breathed.

“Anything familiar about it?”

She shook her head. “I fish there was.” She frowned as the scent began to fade. “College student?”

“Are there a lot of shifters at U of P?”

He sounded so surprised she had to laugh. “Yeah. Max, and Mr. Freidelinde before him, were both cool with shifters attending this branch. Not all Alphas are, so those that are okay with it let the Senate know. The Senate then sends a list out to all the Alphas for their college-bound high school students to choose from.”

“Sounds complicated.”

“It can be, especially for the hosting Alpha, but the students are aware that while they are under their home Alpha’s jurisdiction while here, they’re also subject to Max’s authority if they cross the fine he’s set for acceptable behavior.” The scent faded further, making her think they’d been worried over nothing. “I’m willing to get that’s all it was, just someone out for a stroll.”

He shrugged. “We still haven’t found your attacker, so sorry, I’m still going to worry.”

“Thanks.” She patted his chest.

“You’re mine to protect now.” The soft growl in his voice told her the Wolf was once more peeking through his control. As new as he was, she was surprised it wasn’t happening more, but Jim was turning out to have awesome self-control. “That means I worry when I sense something is wrong.”

The unknown cat scent was almost completely gone. “Whoever he was, he’s gone now.”

Jim still seemed tense, so she petted his chest, hoping to calm him. “My attacker might not be one of us. I was told there were no witnesses to who did this to me, just someone who called 9-1-1 from a payphone. Gabe never found out who it was.” She didn’t remember much of that night, just pain, pain and more pain. “But Gabe told me that other half-breeds had been attacked in the same way and left for dead.”

The tension in Jim went to DEFCON 1. “Oh really?”

“Yes.” His tension was making her afraid. She glanced behind her, but there was nothing there to see. It was just another sweet summer night in her favorite town. “You don’t think…?”

“Have you sensed anything around you since you got out of the hospital?”

She shook her head. “Nope. There was the stuff with Tabby and her attacker, but nothing came of that. Not that I know of, anyway. Then Cyn was hurt, but that had more to do with Tabby than Cyn. And Hope has nothing to do with it at all.”

He took a deep breath. “We need to talk to Gabe then. I want to make sure your attackers are long gone.”

“We can do that. I know between his Hunter duties, his mate, his status as Second and being sheriff he’s been swamped. Want me to call and set something up?”

Jim stared at her, and his tone when he answered was neutral. “Sure.”

“Friends.” She pinched his cheeks. “Friends,” she drawled, hoping to get him to laugh.

He pulled away with a grunt. “I believe you, I just…”

“Can’t stand Gabe?”

He rolled his eyes. “I can take him or leave him. In a ditch. Full of fire ants.”

“You’re mean.” But she snuggled closer, secretly pleased her mate was jealous, even if it was over nothing. The fact that he hated that she’d spent time with Gabe meant there was more to his feelings than the pull of his Wolf. He’d reacted poorly to Gabe’s presence in her life long before he’d been bit. It had been getting Jim to see they were meant for each other that had been difficult.

“Don’t be too pleased with your little redheaded self. We’re still going to discuss the attack on you.” He humph’d, sounding so much like an old man she had to hold back yet another laugh. “Until we figure out who it was I consider you still in danger. If that means I have to make nice to Gabe I will.”

“I try not to think about it too much.” She sighed. This was so romantic. “Julian offered to try and help me recover memories of my attacker that might be buried, but the effort to do so would be dangerous for both of us.”

“Then no. Not unless it’s the only thing left we can try.” He stopped dead and took her face between his palms. “You’ve hurt enough, Chloe. No more.”

“No more,” she whispered back, enthralled by his golden Wolf.






Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Catch Up with Cactching Up

I think the holidays killed me.


First, we got Amy, aka Destructo Pup, who we have since discovered through her pet records was named for Amelia Pond. We've decided this is fate, and are now waiting for a Tardis to appear in our living room.


Any day now. Any day...

Then the holidays hit, and we had a blast at my mother's. We also had company in the form of my brother-in-law, his wife and their two children, who stayed with us until just after New Year's. We had a blast, the kids even more so. Needless to say, there was a massive hunt for Nerf darts come January 2nd.


And then...the flu hit. M got it first, high fever, sore throat, the works. Then Mommy got it, then The Furry Teenage Human. Dusty, the SOB. got sniffles for, like, half an hour. I swear, that man would survive a zombie bite with nothing more than an itchy rash and a mild desire for strawberry Jello brains.



But hey, something good came of the flu. I couldn't really write, but I could edit, so while sick I got the second round of edits done on Song of Midnight Embers (Maggie's Grove 4). We're now going into copy edits. Yay!

Now that I'm well again I've finally started Wolf's Bane (Heart's Desire 4), the final book in that series. Be aware that the working title will probably change as I get into the story. So far Daniel is being as stubborn as I knew he'd be, and Kerry isn't going to let him get away with his shit for a second.

Dusty gave me some neat ideas on how to continue on with the magical world of the Becketts, and I'm seriously thinking about it. No shifters, because only the Becketts are shifters in that world, but he said he'd love to see more of the Own, both the God's and the Goddess's. I agreed, and could see how I could write that series of warriors on the hunt for evil magic-doers. I'll decide soon whether or not I'm going to go for it, but I'm leaning toward yes.

Also: more flu. Yay! Only this time, it was the stomach variety, with lots of nastiness. Again, Dusty burped once, farted twice, and that was it. I swear, I'd think he was an alien except he's allergic to, like, outside.

Wait. Maybe he is an alien. Outside could be his green kryptonite, after all.


So we've survived the holidays, the plague x2 AND a new puppy. And you know what I got out of all of this?

That's right. I need to change my newsletter.


Don't ask where that came from. I was left on my own for far too long as I recovered from the plague, and this was the result. I'm tired of Yahoo messing up the stuff I send out. While I like the fact that you, the readers, can sign up or unsubscribe on your own with no interference from me, I dislike the fact that half of the images I include in the newsletter get screwed up. I've also lost some control over how I deal with the Yahoo page, and when it mails things out. I'd like to switch to something that's designed to handle just newsletters, so I'm researching it. I'll let you know when the change will be happening as soon as I decide on a company. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

So on that note...PUPPY!


She's a goof, but she's our goof.

Favorite Quotes

"I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability." Ron White

"So let me get this straight. You want me to kill the little guys, kill the big guys, crowd control those I can't, buff the team, debuff the boss, keep myself alive, AND keep you alive, all while waving a stick and dressed in a towel?" - Anonymous Role Playing Gamer

"I think that statue over there is a statement on modern life. The statement is, "Well, shit." - Varric, Dragon Age II

"Why is it all claws and guns? Can't we piss off a fuzzy planet? Still dangerous, but hey. Bunnies." - Joker, Mass Effect

"Last night, I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and thought to myself, "Where the heck is the ceiling?" - Dilbert


"Aim at the high mark and you will hit it. No, not the first time, not the second time and maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting for only practice will make you perfect. Finally you'll hit the bull's-eye of success." - Annie Oakley

"It is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly." - Flemeth, aka The Witch of the Wilds, Dragon Age 2

"The very existence of flamethrowers proves that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves, 'You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done.'” - George Carlin

"I hear there's a wild bridge tournament down the street. And you know Bridge. It's a lot like sex. If you don't have a great partner, you'd better have a good hand." Barry Weiss, Storage Wars

"You know, I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought, wouldn't it be much worse if life were fair, and all the terrible things that happen to us come because we actually deserve them? So, now I take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe." - Marcus Cole, Babylon 5, "A Late Delivery From Avalon"

"I aim to misbehave." - Capt. Malcolm Reynolds

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." - Albert Einstein

“If you think you can or think you cannot, you are correct.” - Henry Ford
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